FX.co ★ Sensex Falls for 2nd Day

India’s BSE Sensex fell about 0.4% to close at 77,728 on Monday, extending the previous session’s losses, as rising crude oil prices and ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East weighed on sentiment. Information technology stocks led the decline, with Infosys (-2.7%), HCL Technologies (-2.5%), Tata Consultancy Services (-1.9%) and Tech Mahindra (-1.8%) among the main laggards. FMCG counters also dragged the index, with Hindustan Unilever slipping more than 1%. In contrast, metals and private banks offered some support. Tata Steel climbed 1.5%, Axis Bank gained 1% and HDFC Bank added 0.4%. Reliance Industries rose 0.8% after announcing a partnership with Rolls-Royce to design, develop, manufacture and deliver a sovereign indigenous combat engine for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.